WHEN I used the words "council-led community campaign" (Gazette letters, August 14) Arun's cabinet member for planning felt the need to advise us that CAFE was independent of the council (Gazette letters, August 21).
The words "council-led community campaign" are not mine, but those of the council itself.
In April, the council issued a press release announcing "an emergency meeting of the council's cabinet has been called. . . to kick-start a community campai
gn against the proposal" and "the Leader of Arun District Council, Cllr Mrs Gillian Brown, signalling the start of a council-led community campaign against the proposal said. . ."
Impartiality was obviously something to be introduced at a later stage!
Throughout Arun's select committee process there was a sign on the door of the council chamber stating "Eco-Town campaign group meeting is now taking place in the council chamber and not committee room 1".
When we arrived in the council chamber on the first day of the select committee, CAFE agendas were still on the desks from its meeting of May 23.
CAFE obviously meets in the council chamber.
The chairman of CAFE states (Gazette letters, August 21) "we work closely with Arun District Council, which shares our views. . ."
It appears that the cabinet member is trying to distance the council from CAFE at exactly the same time as the CAFE chairman tells us of the closeness of their relationship!
The cabinet member has met CAFE "only once", so how does CAFE manage to work so closely with the council?
Have other councillors or officers attended or participated in meetings with CAFE?
Who?
How many times?
The Local Development Framework process is about to start up again.
Strategic locations for large-scale development in Arun will shortly be identified.
The role of the council is to consider all locations with impartiality.
And CAFE already "works closely with Arun District Council, which shares our views. . ."
Tony Dixon,
Barons Close,
WestergateNOTE: All letters must include a name and address which can be withheld by request.
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